Bathtub



Patented Aug. 13, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT. OFFICE Application April.2,1934, Serial No. 718,613

6 Claims.

This invention relates to bath tubs and more particularly to combinationbath tubs for hotels and similar institutions where space is of theessence and an important requirement for compactness.

It contemplates more especially the provision of a combination bath tuband wash basin that utilizes less than the ordinary room required forthe standard tub, thereby affording the ordinary bathroom facilities inminimum space requirements.

The customary bath tub is of such length as to comfortably accommodatean adult individual in an extended or at least inclined position'so asto enable substantially complete submersion for cleansing purposes.Then; too, ordinary bathroom facilities include a wash basin which isseparate and independent of the tub, thereby requiring additional spaceto the end that bathrooms are quite sizeable. In hotels and apartmentbuildings located in large cities where space is of the essence and animportant consideration, it is often desirable to reduce the bathroomspace requirements to a minimum and still retain substantially the sameaccommodations that are available in bathrooms of ordinary or standardsize.

This space saving feature has been taken into consideration in theprovision of kitchen facilities, and as a result kitchenettes and eventhe less sizeable pullman kitchens have been introduced with a greatdeal of success in large apartment building enterprises. Compactness hasnot, however, been introduced in the bathroom and this is primarily dueto the fact that the ordinary bathroom fixtures require a great deal ofspace both for their positioning aswell as to afiord access thereto withthe necessary convenience to render such utilizable for cleansingpurposes. A combination bathtub and wash basin has, therefore, beendevolved to afford substantially the same cleansing conveniences as arenow available in the standard size bathtub.

One object of the present invention is to provide a novel combinationtub and wash basin that substantially reduces the space requirements inbathrooms.

Another object is to provide a bath tub having a wash basin incombination therewith so that one or the other can be utilized withoutrequiring any extra space.

Still another object is to provide a bath tub that aifords all thecleansing facilities of the standard tub and still utilizes appreciablyless space.

A further object is to provide a bath tub having a well with a lengthinsuflicient to accommodate a horizontally extended 'adult body and adepth suflicient to submerge a vertically extended adult body to abovethe waist line thereof.

A still further object is to provide a bath tub 5 having a well with alength insufficient to accommodate a horizontally extended adult bodyand a depth suflicient to submerge a vertically extended adult body toabove the waist line thereof in conjunction with means for accommodatingan adult 19 body in a seated posture.

Still afurther object is to provide a bath tub having a wash basin incombination therewith so that one or the other can be utilized withoutrequiring any space additional to that ordinarily required for the tub.

An additional object is to provide a bath tub having a well insufiicientto accommodate a horizontally extended adult body in even a reclinedposition and a depth sufficient to submerge a vertically extended bodyto above the waist line thereof in combination with a wash basin forrendering one or I the other utilizable without requiring any spaceadditional to that ordinarily required for the tub.

Other objects and advantages will appear from the following descriptionof an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a combination tub and wash basinembodying features of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a similar view of the combination tub and wash basin shownin Figure 1, the wash basin being removed from view so as to render thetub accessible for bathing purposes.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along line III--III ofFigure 1.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along line IVIV ofFigure 3. 40

The structure selected for illustration *comprises a tub l0substantially of rectangular cross v section having a well I I with alength insuflicient to accommodate an extended adult body in ahorizontal or reclining position, it being preferable that the lengththereof should not exceed forty' inches, greater or less, depending upondictates of commercial practice and the requirements for space economyin any particular building enterprise. The tub with its well I I may becast or otherwise shaped from metallic material and have the exposedexterior and interior surface thereof covered with a white or coloredenamel so as to render such "attractive and sanitary in every possiblerespect in much the same way as standard tubs are treated for thatpurpose.

The width of the well If is such as to accommodate an adult body ofaverage size along the same dimensional lines and in that respect willapproximate the Width of standard tubs. The tub II has a depthsubstantially greater than those of standard tubs so that an adult bodycan be vertically accommodated and submerged to above the waist linethereof for enabling substantially complete cleansing in a manner thatapproximates the ordinary horizontal or reclining position of an adultbody in a standard tub. This feature enables the length of the tub H tobe reduced-to the minimum, and preferably a seat I2 is formed inconjunction with the well so that an adult body can be accommodated in aseated posture to enable free movement for cleansing every part of theanatomy as wellas for affording rest during the bath.

The seat |2 will approximate the height of an ordinary or standard chairor perhaps somewhat lower depending upon the preference or dictates ofcommercial practice. is preferably cast in conjunction with theformation of the well and may constitute an integral part thereof so asto be formed of the same material and coated with enamel in much thesame way as the exterior and interior surfaces of the tub I Thisarrangement will afford a space or chamber |3 beneath the seat |2 so asto accommodate a stool or chair I4 which may be confined therein and,rendered accessible through a door or swinging closure l5 mounted, inthis instance, on the front wall of the tub I0,

Hinges l6 serve to mount the closure 5 in the customary swinging mannerand a knob serves to enable the manipulation of the closure l5 as wellas control a latch that serves to retain it against accidental opening.Inasmuch as the tub It] has a height greater than that of standard tubsand the fact that an adult individual would find it inconvenient to stepover the top edge I8 thereof, the stool l4 can heremoved from itschamber I4 and ultilized for assisting access to the interior of thewell I.

The usual drain pipe i9 is provided along the bottom 29 of the wellproximate the end wall 2| thereof so as to enable the draining of thewater therefrom in the customary manner. Hot and cold water supplyvalves 22 and 23 are mounted on pipes 24 and 25 preferably extendingexteriorly of the tub l0 beyond the end wall 2| thereof so as tocommunicate with a spigot 26 which serves to conduct or direct the flowof hot and/or cold water into the well II for the usual purpose and inthe customary manner. The spigot 26 is rotatably mounted relative to itshot and cold water mixing housing 21 so that it can be displaced fromabove the well-|| as may berequired for a purpose that will appear morefully hereinafter.

In order to render the tub utilizable as a wash basin when not desiredfor use as a bath tub, a wash basin 28 is stamped or otherwise shapedfrom metallic material to define the usual cleansing well 29 whichterminates in a peripheral flange 30 shaped to corresponding with-andserve as a complement of the top tub periphery l8. In consequencethereof, the wash basin 29 is supported by the top tub periphery mm asto close the well I! and enable the spigot 26 to be displaced above thewash basin well 29 so as to furnish a supply of hot and/or cold waterthereto.

A drain 3| is provided in the wash basin well The seat i2 29 so as toterminate in a pipe 32 preferably though not essentially having apacking-33 in conjunction therewith so as to cooperate with an overflowdrain spout 34 provided in conjunction with the tub wall 2| so as tolimit the level of the water in the tub well H to preclude overflow. Itis to be noted that the overflow spout 34 communicates with a pipe 35which is connected to the drain l9 so as to lead to a common disposalsewer in connection with the pipe extension 35'. The overflow spout 34also serves as a drain for the wash basin well 29 when in its operativeposition in resting engagement with the tub periphery I8. It isapparent, therefore, that the spigot 26 serves both the tub well I andthe wash basin well 29 depending upon which is desired for cleansinguse.

The wash basin well 29 is also provided with a slot or aperture 36proximate to the top surface thereof so as to serve as an overflow drainto conduct the water to the drain spout 34 or preferably deposit such inthe well H for disposal through the tub drain l9, thereby precluding anoverflow and limiting the maximum level of the water therein. In orderto conveniently enable the removal of the wash basin 28 from the tubperiphery l8 so that the tub well II will be accessible for body bathingpurposes, the wash basin 28 is provided with a rearwardly directedextension 31 having depending lugs 38 positioned behind the room wall 39in a chamber 4|) defined by an enclosure rendered accessible through acabinet door 4|.

The cabinet door 4| is mounted on hinges 42 relative to its frame 43which is built around the wall chamber 40. A mirror 44 is preferablymounted in the closure 4| which has a knob 45 and a connecting latch(not shown) for retaining the door or closure 4| closed againstaccidental opening. It is to be noted that the wall chamber closure 4|swings about the hinges 42 above the tub periphery |8 so that the washbasin 28 may be displaced to the wall chamber 40. the wash basin lugs 38are pivotally connected to brackets 46 having bosses 41 thereon tocooperate with the wash basin lugs 38 for pivotal connection by means ofa pintle 49. Two or more of such wash basin lugs 38 may be provided toengage a similar number of brackets 46 which have a rearwardly extendingledge 50 to support the wash basin 28 on edge in its verticalconfinement within the wall chamber 40 (Figure 3).

The pivotal point of connection 49 between the wash basin lugs 38 andbrackets 46 are such that the center of gravity is forward of thevertical position of the wash basin' 28, thereby precluding itsaccidental displacement over the tub well II to possibly injure anindividual confined therein for bathing purposes. Any suitable latch maybe provided, if necessary, to insure against the accidental displacementof the wash basin 28 from the wall chamber 40 outwardly and over the tubwell since such would create serious injury to the tub ID, the washbasin 28 and any individual who may be in the path thereof. With thisarrangement, the wash basin 28 may be conveniently di placed forconcealment within the wall chamber 40 so that the tub l0 may beutilized for its intended purpose. Also, the wash basin 28 may beconveniently displaced over the tub well H without requiring anyappreciable exertion and to this end is built as lightly as possible soas to avoid any burdensome weight.

With this arrangement of parts and features above described, it isapparent that a very com- To this end,

pact combination tub and wash basin has been provided to the end that abathroom may be of very minute size and the space requirements reducedto minimum without sacrificing any bathroom conveniences. Variouschanges may be made in the embodiment of the invention hereinspecifically described without departing from or sacrificing any of theadvantages of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A bath tub having a well with a length insuflicient to accommodate ahorizontally extended adult body and a depth suflicient to submerge avertically extended adult body to above the waist thereof, aseat in saidtub for accommodating an adult body in a seated posture for cleansingconvenience, a wash basin movably associated with the top of said wellto constitute a closure for said well when in operative use incombination therewith, a cabinet in a walladjacent said well forreceiving said wash basin when displaced to its inoperative positionfrom said well, a closure for said cabinet to conceal said wash basin inits inoperative position, and means. for guiding the displacement ofsaid wash basin between said tub well and wall cabinet.

2. A bath tub having a well with a length insuflicient to accommodate ahorizontally extended adult body and a depth sufficient to submerge avertically extended adult body to above the waist thereof, a seat insaid tub for accommodating an adult body in a seated posture forcleansing convenience, a wash basin movably associated with the top ofsaid well to constitute a closure therefor when in operative use incombination therewith, there being separate drains for said well andwash basin so that water discharge may be eifected independently of eachother, hot and cold water supply control means for either said wellorwash basin, and a wall cabinet disposed proximate to said tub well forreceiving said wash basin when displaced from its operative positionrelative to said well.

3. A bath tub having a well with a length insufllcient to accommodate ahorizontally extended adult body and a depth suflioient to submerge avertically extended adult body to above the waist thereof, a seat insaid tub for accommodating an adult body in a seated posture forcleansing convenience, a wash basin pivotally associated with the top ofsaid well to constitute a closure .therefor when in operative use incombination therewith, there being a drain for said well and wash basinso that water discharge may be efiected independently of each other, andhot and cold water supply control means for either said well or washbasin.

4. A bath tub having a well, a seat in said tub for accommodating anadult body in a seated posture effecting submergence to above a waistline level for cleansing convenience, a wash basin mov-' ably associatedwith .the top of said well to constitute a closure therefor when inoperative use in combination therewith, means for supplying water tosaid well or wash basin, and independent drain means for said well andwash basin.

5. A bath tub having a well, a seat in said tub for accommodating anadult body in a seated posture for cleansing convenience, a wash basinmovably associated with the top of said well to constitute a closuretherefor when in operative use in combination therewith, and a cabinetin a wall adjacent said well for receiving said wash basin whendisplaced to its inoperative position from said well, said tub well andwash basin having independent drains for discharge of the contents fromthe latter without reception into the former.

6. A bath tub having a well, a seat in said tub for accommodating anadult body in a seated posture for cleansing convenience, a wash basinmovably associated with the top of said well to constitute a closuretherefor when in operative use in combination therewith, a cabinet in awell adjacent said well for receiving said wash basin when displaced toits inoperative position from said well, a closure for saidcabinet toconceal said wash basin in its inoperative position, and means formounting said wash basin for enabling and guiding the displacementthereof betweensaid tub and cabinet.

WILLIAM HOEHN. 45

